Religious Zionism Unveils Final Knesset Slate Following Zehut Merger
Religious Zionism unveiled its final Knesset list after merging with Zehut, placing Orit Strock third and pushing MK Ohad Tal to 12th. Tal backed the merger, urging the national camp to unite.
Ahead of the party lists submission deadline for the 26th Knesset, the Religious Zionism party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, has unveiled its final electoral slate following a merger with Moshe Feiglin’s Zehut party. The updated list combines incumbent party members, ministers, and MKs, alongside reserved slots stemming from the agreement with Feiglin and newly integrated public figures.
The Complete Electoral Slate
In the third spot, following Smotrich and Feiglin, is Minister of Settlement and National Missions Orit Strock. She is followed by Constitution Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman, and Tzvika Mor, chairman of the Tikvah Forum and father of hostage Eitan Mor.
Further down the list is Lt. Col. (res.) Itamar Eitam, who was severely wounded in Gaza and is one of the founders of the Reservists Movement, alongside MK Zvi Sukkot, Zehut representative Rabbi Yitzhak Chai Zaga, and Reut Ben Haim, educator and founder of the Tzav 9 movement.
The roster also includes Zehut representatives Omer Pzianish Waldman and Arkady Moter, MK Ohad Tal, Omer Rahamim, and MK Michal Waldiger. Earlier today, it was announced that Maj. Gen. (res.) Yossi Bachar, who fought in Be'eri on October 7, has also joined the party. Additionally, the Likud party signed a surplus vote-sharing agreement with Religious Zionism.
Paying the Price of Unity
Notable within the final lineup is the placement of MK Ohad Tal, head of the Religious Zionism faction. Tal, who won the 4th spot in the party primaries, was pushed down to the 12th position as a result of the merger with Zehut.
MK Tal addressed his demotion in a statement published on social media, writing:
«Personally, this is not an easy day for me. But despite the personal price, I fully back party leader Minister Smotrich and stand firmly behind him, hoping these moves will strengthen the party and the entire national camp — diversifying the list, allowing us to reach new audiences, and bringing as many votes as possible to the right.»
Tal continued:
«Friends, the right must not lose votes! A left-wing government must not be allowed to rise here, one that would harm Israel's security and the Jewish identity of the state, and roll back the tremendous achievements we secured over the past four years. And we must not waste votes on parties that will not cross the electoral threshold.»
Concluding his remarks, Tal called for unity:
«Therefore, precisely on this day, I call on all my colleagues in the faction: let us put our egos aside, roll up our sleeves, and work with all our might over the next two months. For the success of Religious Zionism, for the victory of the national camp, and for the State of Israel.»
